Chop Saw Recommendations

[Stompit]

Hi guys,
I currently own a Dewalt 14" abrasive chop saw and was looking to purchase a low speed metal blade chop saw. The 14" Dewalt DW872 and the 12" Makita LC1230 seem to be the main contenders. I am a little concerned with the 12" diameter on the Makita when it comes to 45 degree cuts (kinda limits the material width). The material holding fixture on the Dewalt is pretty much the same as my abrasive saw and seems to work pretty good.

What do you all think or recommend? Any others that stand out?

 

[shoot summ]

Hi guys,
I currently own a Dewalt 14" abrasive chop saw and was looking to purchase a low speed metal blade chop saw. The 14" Dewalt DW872 and the 12" Makita LC1230 seem to be the main contenders. I am a little concerned with the 12" diameter on the Makita when it comes to 45 degree cuts (kinda limits the material width). The material holding fixture on the Dewalt is pretty much the same as my abrasive saw and seems to work pretty good.

What do you all think or recommend? Any others that stand out?

I've got the Evolution saw. It's 14", cuts great, clamps good, absolutely HATE the chips that come off of it and all other cold saws like it. They get everywhere...

 

[MJD1]

I have the makita, and haven't had many things that I couldn't cut at a 45 degree angle. If it is close , I cut it square first, then 45. The little uncut piece can be zipped off with a cutting disc on a grinder. The makita has a much nicer base and clamping system. In my opinion a much nicer built saw than the dewalt.

 

[04chase]

i lucked out and found a milwaukee 6190-20 on craigslist in great shape. paid 300 for it and its been great. i did have to get a blade and that wasnt cheap but the cuts it makes are quiet, quick and way less mess. I have used an abrasive for years and never again.

from what i have seen , for new northern tool has a good cold saw that has a pretty positive reputation.

 

[Stompit]

thank for the info!

 

[Thumper68]

I have tried many and looked around for a few years until I found the CSUnitec/Jepson saw, Best saw I could afford.

Video:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oBySd461Bho" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[IUEC Medic]

I had the Milwaukee 6190-20 14" chop saw but for some reason it started tripping GFCI's. My company would rather buy something new than repair so I just got a brand new dewalt 14" dry cut saw. Cuts raceway and hydraulic pipe like butter.

 

[MrJason]

+1 for the Makita. I've had three in 12 years. Only replaced, when first one was stolen, and second wore out.

I'm on a cell phone, excuse the brevity.

 

[Stompit]

That Jepson is impressive!

 

[maxpower_hd]

I have to be honest, I haven't had much use for one now that I have a plasma cutter.

 

[Ign]

I had the Milwaukee 6190-20 14" chop saw but for some reason it started tripping GFCI's. My company would rather buy something new than repair so I just got a brand new dewalt 14" dry cut saw. Cuts raceway and hydraulic pipe like butter.

Mine tripped 20A breakers regularly and didn't cut square & trashed blades. Milwaukee has discontinued all their D-handle saws (unless they've recently reintroduced one); they knew something was up.

It's a market they backed away from and don't seem interested to compete anymore.

 

[McLean]

Hi guys,
I currently own a Dewalt 14" abrasive chop saw and was looking to purchase a low speed metal blade chop saw. The 14" Dewalt DW872 and the 12" Makita LC1230 seem to be the main contenders. I am a little concerned with the 12" diameter on the Makita when it comes to 45 degree cuts (kinda limits the material width). The material holding fixture on the Dewalt is pretty much the same as my abrasive saw and seems to work pretty good.

What do you all think or recommend? Any others that stand out?

I dont have either of these saws, but have used them both. I dont think the blade size would be a deciding factor for me. Also consider that much of the time your 14" abrasive blade/wheel is less than 14".

I am also in the market for a new saw soon. The dry cut saws are worlds better than an abrasive, but I'm considering a different saw type entirely due to some features (mitering head, angular precision) and the consumable cost:
http://www.trick-tools.com/Femi-782XL-Yellow-Benchtop-Mitering-Bandsaw-HEM-Saw-Racing-Edition-8946

There was some recent discussion about them here http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=319524

 

[Robert Haas]

The 14" "Slugger" From Fein might be one of the best built "Cold" saws out there.

Well thought out, with a large chip tray and a unique blade guard.

I built a nice station for it with a link to the build here

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=316911

 

[tarbellb]

I have owned or used pretty extensively in order: Dewalt, Milwaukee, Evolution, and Hitachi.

The Dewalt fit n finish is good, but has a fragile fence/overall build.

The Milwaukee seemed HD but the fence vise broke immediately.

The Evolution is almost part for part the same as the Jepson/CSUnitec (and probably the Jancy) but much less $.
It is also my favorite saw for the money, cut great, had good features, chip collection was ok.

My current Hitachi is very nice, robust fence, accurate, cleaner castings etc... but has bad chip collection.

I use mine for high accuracy (1/32") miter and 90* cuts. I have gone through 8+ blades, which = 2500-4000 cuts.

IMO the Evo offers the best bang for the buck. The Hitachi (and likely Makita) offer the best final finish product. The Dewalt is OK but the stamped fence is seriously under built, the Milwaukee seemed nice except the gimmicky "quick" fence lock that broke, its also no longer made. The Northern unit seemed very basic and a good deal.

I would NOT look at the smaller "multi" cut Evolution saws, they arent built as robust.

Keep in mind blades are by far the biggest cost, not sure what 12" blades go for?

 

[Stompit]

The 14" "Slugger" From Fein might be one of the best built "Cold" saws out there.

Well thought out, with a large chip tray and a unique blade guard.

I built a nice station for it with a link to the build here

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=316911

Tell me more about your likes and dislikes on the Fein please...

 

[408sbc]

If anyone spots a good sale on the Evolution Rage2, post up in the Hot deals section - I've been watching for a good sale for a while now........

 

[Robert Haas]

Tell me more about your likes and dislikes on the Fein please...

The overall quality of build is impressive. The pivot seems to be substantially more robust in design compared to my Milwaukee Abrasive Chop Saw or My Makita.
The Clamp on it is also very well constructed.

The deck and body are heavy cast Aluminum.

The blade guard is also metal and very effective in protecting the user and deflecting chips.

The removable chip tray holds quite a bit of material.

Ergonomically thought out handle/trigger.

I have no dislikes other then the price, the saw is made in Germany so it costs more then its Chinese competition.

 

[77Mini]

Has anyone tried the one from Princess auto?

 

[bsosborne1]

I have the Milwaukee we use it regularly for fab work and it doesn't impress me. I much prefer the band saw or the plasma cutter to it. But it does have it uses

 

[Stompit]

The overall quality of build is impressive. The pivot seems to be substantially more robust in design compared to my Milwaukee Abrasive Chop Saw or My Makita.
The Clamp on it is also very well constructed.

The deck and body are heavy cast Aluminum.

The blade guard is also metal and very effective in protecting the user and deflecting chips.

The removable chip tray holds quite a bit of material.

Ergonomically thought out handle/trigger.

I have no dislikes other then the price, the saw is made in Germany so it costs more then its Chinese competition.

Thanks so much!

And thanks for all the other comments..great info.

 

[tarbellb]

Are you sure the Fein is made in Germany? I read a review that says Taiwan.

Im not trying to take away from the saw, just trying to get all the info I can. It looks very similar to the Evo / Jancy / etc... a good saw, but likely not a German produced cold cut saw at the $400-600 price point.

The overall quality of build is impressive. The pivot seems to be substantially more robust in design compared to my Milwaukee Abrasive Chop Saw or My Makita.
The Clamp on it is also very well constructed.

The deck and body are heavy cast Aluminum.

The blade guard is also metal and very effective in protecting the user and deflecting chips.

The removable chip tray holds quite a bit of material.

Ergonomically thought out handle/trigger.

I have no dislikes other then the price, the saw is made in Germany so it costs more then its Chinese competition.

 

[bcradio]

I really like my Makita and have to say it makes very crisp cuts. I mostly use it for 45's though because I'd rather use my porta-band for 90's since it is much cheaper to operate and only does 90's real well.

Also, 12" blade is plenty enough for 45's with less blade wobble than a 14".